Chamomilla, a study

Chamomilla, a study D. M. G I B S O N , M.B., B.S.LOND., F . R ~

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PHARMACOGNOSY

The source of this remedy is the German Chamomile or Wild Chamomile-Matricaria chamomilla. I t is a member of the daisy family, the Compositae. Growing in the wild state it is described as "a modest little weed which flourishes about September in rickyards". The plant loves the light and is often found at the edge of paths and in open fields. I t prefers sandy or clay soil and shrinks from damp and shady places. I t is found also growing on chalky ground, and thrives well on salt-impregnated soil. The flower heads are about 2 em. in diameter, with some fifteen or so white strap-shaped florets. These tend to straggle horizontally in a rather untidy manner or are coyly reflexed downwards to wrap round the flower stalk. In addition there are numerous tubular yellow perfect florets, forming a conical golden centre dome which is hollow. The plant is often found in cornfields and must be distinguished from the Corn Chamomile (Anthemis arvensis), which shows little chaffy scales or bracts among its florets and has a soL;d centre. Moreover, this plant is odourless whereas Matriearia chamomilla possesses a strong scent, somewhat like that of the Common Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis), but less aromatic. The scent of the latter plant is sweetish, and reminiscent of the smell of an apple room. The flowers, despite their somewhat aromatic odour, possess a very bitter taste. They contain a volatile oil, a bitter extractive and a trace of tannic acid. The etheric oil distilled from the flowers is of a deep blue colour, unlike most etheric oils which are pale yellow. The oil is said to be "very effective in controlling inflammation". Certainly the remedy is of signal value in controlling inflamed tempers. The growth of the plant is interesting. From the first germination of the seed there is a very rapid growth, an energetic upgrowth of leaf, shoot and flower. After a very few months with the formation of new seed the cycle is completed. In cultivation the plant will bloom in two months from sowing and thus provide two crops in one season. This manner of growth is suggestive of energetic, even exaggerated, response to stimulus and lack of patience. The foliage has a characteristic bushy, curly, feathery appearance. The leaf, although threadlike in length, when looked at transversely, is seen to be thick and succulent with a margin which is rolled inwards. Sensitivity is the chief characteristic of the plant as evidenced by its texture, its manner of growth and its habitat. PHARMACOLOGY

The chief tissue affinity of the plant is with the nervous system, inducing an extreme degree of over-excitability and hypersensitivity.

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PHYSIOGNOMY

The Chamomilla subject often has light brown hair and a fair complexion. The child is found in a pet, snapping, snarling, throwing things about; cries when approached or interferedwith, but becomes quiet when carried in arms. One cheek is apt %o be red and hot while the opposite cheek is pale and cold. The head isoften w a r m and moist with sweat. There m a y be a crack in the centre of the lower lip, a sign shared with Graphites, Natrum muriaticum and Sepia. When in pain the sufferer tosses to and fro in agony and is quite unable to stay still. Muscular hypersensitivity m a y result in much jerking and twitching from mortification, chagrin or excitement; the child if punished m a y throw a fit of convulsions. PSYCHOLOGY

The ChamomiUa subject, whether child or adult, is morbidly sensitive. Temper becomes in a turmoil, and restlessness is extreme. Is intolerably irritable and impatient; everything is unbearable; pain is intolerable. The child can't bear being looked at, spoken to or a p p r o a c h e d - flies into a rage at once. Emotion m a y be so intense as to cause fainting. Nothing pleases; every trifle annoys; child howls for a toy and, when it is brought, throws it away and demands something else. Very easily chagrined or offended. Becomes melancholy, sits and broods, and refuses to reply when spoken t o - - a p p e a r s absorbed in thought, as the result of pent-up rage or resentment. Symptoms of illness m a y arise from anger, either suppressed or vented, or from contradiction or interference. PHYSIOLOGY

The circulation takes part in the turmoil and heat and shivering m a y become intermingled. May feel "on fire" although to the palpating hand the skin feels cold. This is unlike Belladonna which shows a characteristically hot skin, burning to the touch. Appetite is usually lacking. There m a y be a craving for coffee or for narcotics. Kent, however, speaks of aversion from coffee, warm drinks, soup and fluid foods. There is a marked thirst for cold water, which is liable to be held in the mouth for quite a while before being swallowed. There m a y be desire for acid drinks. Sleep is disturbed by much moaning, starting and tossing; or m a y be unable to stay in bed, gets up to walk up and down in vain search for easement. May be sleepy but still unable to get to sleep. May dream with eyes wide open, and nightmares are common. As with PulsatiUa and Sulphur, the soles of the feet tend to burn at night, and the feet are moved around in search of a cold spot or pushed out from under the bed-covers to cool off. Profuse sweats occur on covered parts; the head perspires during sleep; the face sweats after eating or drinking. The perspiration is hot and sticky. Modalities must be noted. There is aggravation from exposure to heat and also from draughts; from wind and from wet. Symptoms tend to be worse also

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from taking coffee, b o t h before and during menstruation, at 9 a.m. or 9 p.m., and in the first p a r t of the night. Feels better in warm, moist, humid weather, a modality shared with Causticum, Hepar sulph., Kali carb. and Nux vomica. Being carried or being driven in a car also affords relief. PATHOLOGY

General. The Chamomilla pains are quite unbearable and seem out of all proportion to a n y obvious pathological lesion; the pains are drawing or tearing in character, and are often accompanied b y a feeling of numbness or burning heat. Pains in head and belly tend to be eased b y warmth. Pains are worse at night, especially from 9 p.m. to midnight, but usually ease off after midnight. Head region. A throbbing unilateral headache is brought on or made worse b y anger, and gets worse in the evening. H e a t and warm wraps afford some relief. A facial neuralgia, associated with pain inside the mouth, however, is relieved b y cold. But if the pain is located in the side of the face or the ears it is better for heat. Eyes tend to be swollen in the morning with adherent lids. Blepharospasm occurs. There m a y be a sensation as if the eyeball was lightly compressed from all angles. The sclerotics m a y show a yellow tinge. Ears. Earache is pressive in type, worse on stooping, with tearing pains which extort cries; the ears feel stuffed up. Tinnitus occurs, with tinkling or buzzing noises. Respiratory system. Although the nose feels blocked, hot watery discharge drops from the nostrils. There is much dry sneezing, and the nose is extremely sensitive to any kind of odour. A constant tickle behind the upper part of the sternum causes a teasing dry cough. Suffocative tightness of the chest m a y be complained of with paroxysms of coughing. At times there is a hard, hacking cough, worse when talking, on expiration and at night. Asthma brought on b y anger or tantrums m a y call for the remedy. I t m a y be indicated also when the child coughs in its sleep and wakes "crabby". Alimentary system. Toothache is induced b y taking anything warm into the mouth, is aggravated b y talking and worse in bed; holding cold water in the mouth gives relief. Teeth feel "too long". An indication for the remedy is teething in children accompanied b y green watery stools which smell like rotten eggs. The tongue shows a yellow coating; lector oris is noticeable. Attacks occur of severe vomiting associated with violent retching, as if the stomach would be torn to shreds; the sufferer is covered with cold sweat and becomes exhausted. A similar type of vomiting is caused b y morphine in sensitive subjects. There m a y be complaint of pressure in the stomach as "of a stone" accompartied by fruitless attempts to vomit; this type of distress is also met with in connection with Nux vomica.

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Biliousness may be brought on by anger. Bloating m a y occur after meals and painful belching. Colic is accompanied by tympanites; flatus is passed in small quantities and without affording any relief; local heat to the abdomen may give relief. The child doubles up, kicks and screams with pain. Colic is felt while urinating. Slimy diarrhoea occurs with grass-green stools containing particles of undigested food, mucus and blood. The stools are foul-smelling. The anus becomes sore and prolapsed.

Lymphatic and Glandular system. Breasts become tender and nipples sore and inflamed. Tenderness of breasts in infants. Genital system. Uterine haemorrhage of dark blood with clots accompanied by labour-like pains. Early menstrual periods are accompanied by dysmenorrhoea; the flow is heavy, dark with many large clots; the patient feels hot, thirsty, cross. In labour severe pains extend from the back to the medial aspect of thighs. The remedy may be called for in threatened abortion. Locomotor system. The arms are apt to "go to sleep" when grasping objects. Rheumatic pains drive the sufferer from bed to walk the floor; he is thirsty, hot, and almost beside himseff with anguish. Cramps occur in legs. Ankles seem weak and easily turn over. Joints crack on movement, and feel "bruised". POSOLOGY

The chief indication for C~momiUa is provided b y the psychological picture. The remedy is not called for in those who bear pain patiently and with resignation. The remedy is often of great service in complaints of the newly born and during dentition. (If C~momil/a fails prescribe Belladonna.) 9 I t is of notable value also in persons showing a tendency to rheumatoid arthritis (increasingly suspected of being of psychogenic origin). Chamomilb~ will often give relief in nausea and vomiting or other ill effects of morphine. Of use also in irritable states resulting from abuse of narcotics or Coffee.